‘Your punter had a good game’…
I always find it a back-handed comment when someone, as they did the other day, says to me that the punter had a good game.
I am not taking anything from Tress Way, he had a fantastic game. But generally that comment means others on the team did not. When I say “others” I am referring to the offense in this particular week.
The loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, though disappointing, I did not think was a surprise.
We had been running the ball well, but against the Steelers – who have been great at stopping any type of run game – I was hoping for a bit of a ‘change-up’. This did not occur.
Jayden Daniels was not very productive, whether you put that at his door or cast your eyes to the receiving corps is of personal opinion.
On defense, I was really pleased we limited the Steelers at times. However, penalties and a lack of concentration meant that those mistakes cost us.
Add those mistakes, penalties, lack of receiving output and what can be described as a dismal run game together and you have a Washington defeat in Week 10.
Eagles up next for Commanders
With the negatives out the way, we move forward and look ahead to the Philadelphia Eagles game.
I am not a beat writer or an insider, but from I am hearing via the internet and news reports that Brian Robinson is on track to return for Week 11. That will be a much needed boost to the rushing game.
Let us not forget Austin Ekeler grabbed Washington’s two touchdowns against Pittsburgh, but the return of Robinson takes the weight off his shoulders.
The Eagles are going to be tough to beat, they are on a five-game win streak and they look dangerous. Washington are going to need to dust off the Steelers defeat and look ahead.
This is still a great start to the season, one game does not change that, but the Eagles and Steelers are two completely different beasts.
The mood is still positive. I would rather be going up against the Eagles after a loss, with a winning record still intact rather than a losing record and trying to figure out if a playoff place was still mathematically and theoretically possible.
This will be prime-time football for top spot in the NFC East and I am very excited to see what happens.
If called upon, I hope our punter has a great game. But no disrespect Tress, I hope you are not the topic of conversation for me next week.
